Parents of babies and toddlers are being encouraged to engage in as much tactile behaviour as possible after studies found that a lack of human contact can actually cause physical and mental stress in children. Hugs and kisses are all very well, but experts are suggesting that Mums and Dads take things one step further and learn techniques such as baby massage, not only to keep baby happy but to build up the bond between parent and child.
After all, adults develop these strong bonds through touch, so why should infants be any different?
Many local health centres run classes in baby massage, but you don’t need to be an expert in the techniques they teach for both you and your child to get the benefit out of these sessions. Some researchers claim that massaging not only soothes baby, but can help soothe Mum and Dad too; especially useful during the stressful time when a newborn first comes home from the hospital.
The main thing to remember when massaging your infant is to be gentle; the idea isn’t to get rid of tension knots but to build a relaxed and comfortable environment where baby can feel safe and calm. Begin at the tips of the toes, talking and looking at your baby the whole time to increase the connection between you. Slowly move your fingers in circles, moving up baby’s legs and over his or her torso, before massaging down the arms and to the tips of the fingers.
You can even use massage oil, so long as it isn’t perfumed, but make sure you keep an eye out for any unusual skin reactions to the process. As with anyone, baby will soon let you know if he or she is uncomfortable and you can ease up or leave them alone for a while.
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